Championship 2015-16 season preview: Rotherham United

Following back-to-back promotions under Steve Evans to return to the Championship after 10 years away, the goal for Rotherham United in 2014-15 was to consolidate their second-tier place.

They just managed to do so by finishing five points clear of the drop zone after being docked three points at the business end of the season for fielding an ineligible player.

Some key faces have gone, but there are also plenty of reinforcements as the Millers eye a bit more serenity and a mid-table finish in 2015-16.

In

Aidy White (Leeds United), Joe Mattock (Sheffield Wednesday), Lewis Buxton (Sheffield Wednesday), Emmanuel Ledesma (Middlesbrough), Danny Collins (Nottingham Forest), Tom Thorpe (Manchester United), Greg Halford (Nottingham Forest), Chris Maguire (Sheffield Wednesday), Grant Ward (Tottenham Hotspur, half-season loan), Farrend Rawson (Derby County, half-season loan), Kelle Roos (Derby County, season-long loan), Joe Newell (Peterborough United)

Out

Mark Bradley, Richard Brindley (Colchester United), Robert Milsom (Notts County), Mat Sadler (Shrewsbury Town), Tony Thompson, Craig Morgan (Wigan Athletic), Ben Pringle (Fulham), Kari Arnason (Malmo), Daniel Rowe (Wycombe Wanderers), Scott Loach (Notts County), Conor Newton (Cambridge United)

Last season - 21st

Manager - Steve Evans

Undoubtedly one of the league's most colourful characters, Evans also proved his doubters wrong by steering Rotherham to safety last season.

The second season is likely to be just as difficult, with all three promoted teams appearing to be strong and the fodder that was Blackpool now down in League One. Evans will have to improve Rotherham in all facets of the game if they are to stay up once again.

Key Player - Danny Collins

Rotherham's main central-defensive partnership from last year, Kari Arnason and Craig Morgan, is gone, so old head Collins will have the job of marshalling the backline.

Now 35, Collins does not have many years left in the professional game and even if he cannot play every week, his experience might just be what keeps the Millers up.

Possible starting lineup

Roos; Buxton, Broadfoot, Collins, Mattock; Halford, Green, Frecklington; Ledesma, Derbyshire, Maguire

First game: MK Dons (H), Full fixture list

Sports Mole says

The losses of Arnason, Morgan and Pringle will hurt, but Evans, like last year, has not been afraid to add a host of new faces to his squad. Fans will hope that he is a good judge of character and that the newcomers will gel well.

A good start is vital as the Millers' first couple of months look fairly gentle. If they begin slowly, things get very difficult come October and teams pushing for promotion might see Rotherham as one of the easier games they will have.

Jordan Bowery scored more goals than any other substitute last season, but the Millers' club-record signing will need to find the net with more regularity this term after an underwhelming first year.